Rough Magic (1997)

Lack of good storyline.

Highly Overrated But Still Good

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

I recently had to watch this movie for a study at UCSB, and, really, with the opening few scenes, I was not exactly thrilled. However, I did find myself feeling like I was actually in the movie at quite a few points, definitely immersed, experiencing a sort of flow, and had elicited in me quite a noticeable emotional response. Truly, I have found that anything with R. Crowe in it is usually frigging awesome, and I had never before experienced a movie with B. Fonda, who in this movie is irresistibly cute! I found out after the study that I was in the "female/romance" category, and was subjected to two more movies which were no more than mere trash. This movie, albeit old, was for me enthralling in the category of Romancing the Stone, though more realistic in some ways, and far more fake in others. I definitely recommend this movie if you've got netflix or the like, it's a good movie to zone out to, but I'll tell you what, I had the urge more than once to have a smoke. I guess that's what one would expect from a movie set in the 50's. Enjoy!

Dear, oh dear. Oh dear.Even the ten lines of text that are required for these reviews is more than this film deserves. Watching Rough Magic is like watching a whole heap of (not necessarily high quality, either) films from genres of magical-realism, 1920's/30's adventure, fantasy, atomic-power-angst, comedy, romance, coming-of-age and film noir all at the same time. On little sleep.The resulting after-images in your mind would be a big jumbled, confusing, possibly brilliant somewhere, badly told mess. Or you can just watch this film and get the same effect.I think the last scenes in particular are added just to show the audience that, 'yes we made a bad film but at least you weren't expecting *this*'.And after watching this I couldn't shake the feeling that there was the potential for a brilliant film from all the badly fitting pieces. It will keep you guessing, at least, right up until the end. But only because you might be expecting a coherent story.

I happen to think it is a pretty good movie. It's got magic and love and Russell Crowe and it's nice. It's an entertaining love story, with a touch of magic. How can you not enjoy that? Also, did I mention it has magic in it? ;)

When I first saw this movie I knew I liked it immensely, but I didn't really know why. I had to see it several times before I really "got" it. It's a very very different movie. The symbolism was a treat! Things which were shown in a fantasy-type way are things which happen in real life--e.g. bitterness being shown as an egg being laid that when hatched, is a venomous spider. In this movie, just about anything can happen! Love is magic but love can't happen with bitterness in the way; likewise, magic can't happen without love. The actors exuded the '40's style with finesse with the witty lines, and Bridget Fonda's costumes were exciting. I will surely watch this movie again and share it with others.